Polarizing macrophages derived from human THP-1 cells in vitro: methods and protocols.

Author: Pengfei LI ¹ ; Lin CHEN ² ; Wei YUAN ¹ ; Xingqiang LI ³ ; Xuesong FENG ⁴
Author Information

1. Laboratory of Animal Center, Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
2. Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
3. Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
4. Laboratory of Animal Center, Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China. 2111051@sntcm.edu.cn.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Humans; Macrophages/physiology*; THP-1 Cells; Cell Culture Techniques/methods*; Macrophage Activation; Cell Polarity; Cell Differentiation; Phenotype; Cell Line
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(11):1132-1136
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Macrophages derived from the human THP-1 cell line have been widely used as substitutes for primary macrophages in various macrophage-related studies. However, difficulties still exist in establishing THP-1 macrophage models. This research presents techniques for generating different phenotypes of activated macrophages derived from THP-1 cells by introducing specific stimuli and provides some potential markers to confirm each type of activated macrophage. It is hoped to provide novel and useful methods for scientific research and to help researchers explore this field more intuitively and effectively.